Separator



Dec. 9, 1941. b. A. MONEIL, JR

SEPARATOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 27, 1940 Dec. 9, 1941. D. A.McNEIL, JR

SEPARATOR Filed April 27, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 flaezior 42215022 2%Dec. 9, 1941. D. A. MCNEIL, JR 2,265,537 Y SEPARATOR Filed April 27,1940 5 Sheets-Sheet s .jiizz/egzvn'.

Dec. 9, 1941. D. A. MQNEIL, JR I 2,265,537

SEPARATOR Filed April 27, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jizdaza r.-

9, 1941- D. A. M NEIL, JR 2,265,537

SEPARATOR Filed April 2'7; 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Dec. 9, 1941UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 16 Claims.

My invention relates to a separator and has particular reference to anapparatus adapted for use in separating various kinds of impurities fromgranular material which are heavier in weight than the material itself,and in which both centrifugal force and the force of gravity are used insuch manner that material is stratified so that the heavier particlesmay be removed from the lighter.

Another and further object of my invention is the provision of anapparatus in which free foreign particles, such as clay, slate, rock andother substances, may be easily and quickly removed from coal, sand,gravel, grain or other products similar in character, in which theimpurities to be removed are heavier in weight than the material fromwhich the impurities are to be separated.

Another and further object is the provision of apparatus whereingranular material, such as coal, coke, gravel and similar material maybe passed through the machine and in a continuous operation the heavierparticles separated from the mass of material and. removed therefrom,and at the same time dust, dirt and the like of fine particles areremoved in a large measure from the material, passing out with therejected or heavier weight material.

Another and further object of my invention is the provision of apparatusin which grain, such as corn, wheat or the like, may be cleaned andforeign substances removed therefrom, such as sticks, and foreignparticles lighter than the grain, in which case the operation of theapparatus is the reverse for use with coal, coke and the like, as thegrain being the heavier is stratified out of the material and passes outof the separator at the bottom thereof instead of through the opening inthe central dam as is the case of coal, coke, gravel or the like.

Another and further object of my invention is the provision of aseparator comprising a circular tub which is oscillated horizontallypreferably through an arc of 120, with means for supplying a constantstream of material to the tub, the tub having a movable bottom whichnormally is spaced slightly below the lower edge of the tub to allow forthe constant escape of the very fine particles of material from the tub,and which can be further lowered; away from the lower edge of th tubthus allowing the foreign or reject material to escape from the tubwhere it has collected on the movable bottom, and thereby removed fromthe material after it has been stratified in the tub, or if the reverseoperation is used, the accept material passes out over the bottom andthe lighter or reject material through a central opening in the dam. I

These and other objects of my invention will be more fully and betterunderstood by reference to the accompanying drawings, and in which-Figure 1 is a side elevational view of apparatus embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional View on line 33' of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a vertical view, partially in elevation and partially insection, showing the separator and mounting therefor;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view on line 5-5 of Figure 3';

Figure 6 is a detailed sectional view showing the. means employed forsuspending the valve plate; and

Figure 7 is a detailed perspective view of the valve plate supportingmeans.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, and in which like referencecharacters refer to like parts throughout, longitudinal bottom" sills HIand II are shown to which a plurality of spaced vertical posts l2, I2are secured at their lower ends. A longitudinally extending channelmember or top sill I3 is provided at the upper ends of the posts I2 atone side of the frame, while at the opposite side a longitudinallyextending angle member I4 is provided. The posts are connectedtransversely by appropriate angles l5, 15. The structure just describedconstitutes the frame upon which the various moving parts of theapparatus are mounted.

Secured at their ends to certain of the posts l2, I2 and extendinglongitudinally of the frame is a pair of sills [6, I6 preferably ofchannel construction, with other sills I1, I! extending transversely ofthe frame and secured at their ends to the longitudinally extendingsills l6, l6 in any approved manner, the sills l6, l6 and H, I! formingthe supports for the mountings for the separating apparatus. A circulartrack member 68 is secured to the sills l6, l6 and l1, l1 and is held inposition by bolts l9, l9 which extend through the sills l6 and H,respectively, and has openings 18a, Illa therein for access to bottomsuspension means for adjustment purposes as hereinafter described.

A tub 20, circular in form, is provided having bolts 2 I, 2| passingthrough its wall, on the outer ends of which rollers 22', 22 aremounted, having an extension rim 23 formed at the outer portions thereofso the tub 20 is held in position on the track [8. The upper edge of'the member" f8 therefore forms a track upon which the rollers 22 traveland which, in turn, support the tub upon the circular member l8 andallow for rotary movement of the tub 26. A cover plate 24 is secured tothe upper side of the tub 20 in any approved manner, having an opening25 therein. A ring gear 26, mounted upon the cover plate 24, forms themeans by which the tub 20 is rotated by suitable power means hereinafterdescribed. v

A dam 2? is mounted centrally of the tub 20 upon the lower ends of arms28, 28 which extend through the ring gear 26 and opening 25 in the.

" Mounted on the sills IT, IT are vertical plates cover 24, with anopening 29 therein through which the accepted material is dischargedduring the operation of the device. Theaccepted material passes throughthe opening 29 into the hollow dam 21 and is discharged downward andgrally formed with the plate 34, which is in spacedrelation to the valveplate 32 for purposes hereinafter described. The lower end of the dam21, extends within the tubular portion 33 and normally operates intelescopic relation therewith. V

The plate 32 extends beyond the bottom edge I of the'tub2l3 and has aplurality of eye-bolts 35, 35 mounted therein around its outer edgewhich extend through guide angles 36 and 31 on the sidepf the tub 2B.38, 38' are mounted in the cover 24 around the outer edge thereof whichextends over the edge of the tub 20, with springs 39, 39 beinginterposed between the eye-bolts 35 and the turnbuckles 38; The springs33 normally exert their force in an upward direction and may be adjustedby means of the turnbucldes 38' to the proper tension to support theplate 32 and the l'ading thereon in proper position with respect Nuts39a are to the bottom of the tub 29. mounted'in the eye-bolts 35 bymeans of which the plate 32 is normally held in fixed spacedrelation-below the bottom edge of the tub 20, thereby allowing for theconstant escape of the fines, such as dust and dirt, during the normaloperation of the apparatus. In the separation of grain and the like fromlighter substances,

7 the grainpasses out of the tub under the lower A plurality ofturnbuckles edge thereof during-the reciprocating of the tub,

where it is conveyed to the proper receptacle to receive it. Stops areprovided on the sides of the tub 23 through which the eye-bolts 35extend,

, with some of the nuts [8a below these stops and others above, them so'the plate 32 is held in properadjusted spaced relation with the bottomfli'l'ievalveplate 32 is also additionally supported by a plurality ofarms 49, 49 which are bent inward'at their lower ends and have aplurality oflrollers 4|, 41 mounted thereon which engage against theunder side of the valve plate 32 and the upper .side of the plate 34.The arms 40, extend upward with theirupward ends turned inward andmounted in a ring 42. The ring 42 is pivotally mounted upon a yoke 43,theends of which are mounted in short vertical posts 44 and 45 which arewelded or otherwise secured to the sill I3. The yoke 43 has a handleportion 46 to which a spring 4'! is secured, the upper end of which issecured to an eye-bolt 48 mounted in an angle 43 secured at its ends toa pair of vertical angles 50, 50. The angles 55, 50 are in turn weldedor otherwise secured at their lower ends to angle irons 5|, 5! whichextend transversely of the structure and are secured to the Verticalposts 44 and 45 on one side of the frame and to the vertical posts 44aand 45d welded to the angle 14 at their lower ends.

centrally of'these plates through which the ac- ;cepted material passesto the receptacle 30. The

lower edges of the plates 53, 53 extend over the receptacles 54, 54, oneof which rests upon the edge of the sill H and a second sill 55, whilethe other receptacle rests upon and is supported by the channelmember-i9. These receptacles tare adapted to receive the reject materialwhich is dumped from the tub 29 when the valve plate 32 is loweredduring the operation of the apparatus,so that this reject materialpasses into the receptacles 54, 54 and can be removed from the machineor otherwise disposed of as may be desired. a

A hopper 56 is provided which is support on the machine in any suitablemanner, as'by vertical angles 5?, 51 and has a base portion 51a which isintegrally formed with the side walls and is supported upon one of thetransverse angles 5| at one of its ends; A belt 53 is mounted upon aroller shaft 59 atone end and a second roller shaft 69 at its oppositeend, supported by brackets 6|, 6! atone of its ends and by brackets 6la, Gla mounted on angleil at its opposite end, the brackets 6i, 6|being mounted upon the sill l3 and the angle I4. An inclined dischargechute 62 is provided which is connected to the base portion 57a of thehopper at its upper end, the lower end of which extends into the tub 20at one side thereof and through which the material adapted tobeseparated is conveyed into the tub 2B. The material may be conveyedinto the hopper by a conveyor or the hopper may be placed under a binhaving a discharge spout leading therefrom, with the materialflowinginto the hopper by gravity and conveyed into the tub 20 over thebelt 58 as desired.

Mounted upon a pair of longitudinally extending members 63, 63 is amotor 64 having a belt 65 leading therefrom to a pulley 66 mounted upona shaft 61 suitably mounted in bearings secured to the top sill l3 andthe angle M. A smaller pulley 58 is provided over which a belt 69operates to a pulley 19 mounted upon a shaft H suitably supportedinbearings in the top sill I3 and the angle M. A connecting rod 12 issecured to the disc 'llla by means of a bolt 13 and at its inner end issecured to a rack 74 suitably mounted in bearing blocks 15, 15 securedto angles [6, 16 which are appropriately secured to the angles 5|, 5| attheirouter ends. In turn, the rack 14 mesh with the ring gear 26securedto the cover plate of the tub 26 by means of which the tub 20 isoscillated through the application of power from the electric motor andthe train of belts and pulleys hereinabove described. A small pulley thesupporting frame is a spring contact member 1 84 preferably of S-shape,having a lead wire 85 leading to any suitable source of electricalsupply, such as a battery or the like. A bracket 86 is provided uponwhich a lamp 8! is mounted, with a lead wire 88 leading therefrom andreturning to the source of electric supply, the circuit being 7established through the contact member 84 and frame of the machine tothe lamp 81, so that when the lower plate 34 is in engagement with thecontact member 84 the circuit is closed, resulting in the lamp 8'! beinglighted and signalling the operator that a sufiicient quantity of rejectmaterial has collected in the tub to force the plate downward slightlyaway from the bottom of the tub 20 and is ready for the operator tolower the valve plate 32 thereby allowing the reject material to beconducted out of the tub.

In the operation of the device, the material, such as coal, grain,gravel and the like, which it is desired to separate, is placed in thehopper 56 and passes into the tub 20 over the belt 58 and supply chute32, the tub in the meantime being oscillated through an angle ofapproximately 120 by means of the rack 14 and power applying connectionsto the ring gear 26. As the tub is oscillated, the heavier reject piecesof material pass to the bottom and outer side of the tub where they lieupon the plate 32, and, due to the centrifugal force exerted upon theseparticles, are forced into the corners of the tub, lying partiallyagainst the wall of'the tub 20 and the bottom plate 32. Through thisoperation the material is stratified by gravity, and centrifugal forceimparted to the material in the tub 20 causes it to collect in thecorner of the tub where it builds up against the wall of the tub 20 andon the bottom of the tub. The lighter material is forced toward thecenter of the tub where it passes out through the opening 29 in the dam21 and is dropped into the receptacle 30. As the reject materialcollects in the corner of the tub 20 its weight gradually increasesuntil the plate 32 drops downward a slight distance and the contact ismade through the contact 84 to the signal lamp 81. Thereupon theoperator grasps the handle 46 and by exerting a downward pull on thishandle the valveplate 32 is forced downward away from the bottom of thetub 20, allowing the reject material to be thrown out under the loweredge of the tub and over the outer edge of the plate 32 and onto theplates 33 or against the side plates 52, where it drops to thereceptacles 54, 54. The operator thereupon immediately releases thehandle 46 and the combined force of the springs 41 exerted upon the yoke43 andv the springs 39 pull. the valve plate up into position slightlybelow the bottom of the tub 20, with angle stops 89, 89 being providedwith which the sides of the ring 42 come into contact. The adjustment ofthe springs is such that a considerable amount of material can becarried in the tub 29 with the valve plate held in close engagementagainst the bottom of the tub, and only after a considerable amount ofmaterial, including heavier foreign matter, has been built up in valveplate to drop a sufficient distance so that contact is made with thesignalling apparatus.

The opening 29 in the dam 21 should be larger than the maximum sizes ofmaterial adapted to pass therethrough, so that regardless of the size ofthese pieces of material they will pass freely through this opening andwill not lodge against the sides of the opening, thereby damming up thematerial and preventing the lighter material from flowing out of the tub20. Due to the fact that rock, slate, mineral matter and the like,particularly in coal, are considerably heavier than the coal itself,this material quickly passes to the bottom of the tub 20 during theoperation thereof. Due to the centrifugal action of the tub the materialbuilds up around the outer edge of the tub and the lighter materialmoving toward the center of the tub against the dam is dischargedthrough the opening 29. In this manner the heavier particles ofmaterial, such as slate and the like, are easily and quickly separatedfrom the lighter materials, such as coal, as it is passed through themachine.

When used for cleaning grain of sticks, lighter material and the like,theoperation of the apparatus is the same as for coal, except that thegrain, being heavier, escapes under the edge of the tub 20 while thelighter material flows through the opening 29' into the dam 21.

While I have described more or less precisely the details ofconstruction, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto,as I contemplate changes in form and the proportion of parts and thesubstitution of equivalents as circumstances may suggest or renderexpedient without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A separator comprising, in combination, a frame, a tub mounted foroscillating movement on said frame,power means whereby the said tub isoscillated, means whereby material is supplied to the said tub, a hollowdam centrally mounted of said tub having a discharge opening therein, amovable bottom for said tub, and means whereby the said bottom may bemoved away from said tub.

2. A separator comprising, in combination, a frame, a tub mounted foroscillating movement on said frame, power means whereby the said tub isoscillated, means whereby material is supplied to the said tub, a hollowdam centrally mounted of the said tub having a discharge openingtherein, a movable bottom for said tub, means whereby the said bottom isnormally held in spaced relation with the bottom of the said tub, andmanual operable means whereby the said bottom may be moved away from thesaid tub to allow reject material to pass out of said tub.

3. A separator comprising, in combination, a frame, a tub mounted foroscillating movement on said frame, power means whereby the said tub isoscillated, means whereby material is supplied to the said tub, a hollowdam centrally mounted of the said tub having a discharge openingtherein, a movable bottom for said tub, spring support means whereby thesaid bottom is held in spaced relation with the said tub, and manualoperable means whereby thesaid bottom may be moved out of its normalosition away from the said tub.

4. A separator comprising, in combination, a frame, a tub mounted foroscillating movement onsaid frame, power means whereby the said tub isoscillated, means. whereby material is supplied to the said tub, ahollowdam centrally mounted whereby the said bottom issllpp rted in spacedrelation with the bottom of said tub, a plurality of arms extendingbetween the plurality of plates of the said bottom, a yoke to which saidarms are connected at their upper ends, and a spring normally tending tosupport the said bottom secured to the said yoke. r

5. A separator comprising, in combination, a frame, an oscillating tubmounted on the said frame, power means whereby the said tub isoscillated, means whereby material is supplied to the said tub, a hollowdam centrally mounted of the said tub having an opening therein throughwhich the accepted material passes, a movable bottom having an openingtherein through which the dam extends in the normal closed position ofthe bottom, adjustable spring support means for the said tub, armsextending under said bottom and in normal engagement therewith, a yoketo which said arms are connected having a handle portion, and a springnormally tending to retain the bottom in closed position.

6. A separatorcomprising, in combination, a frame, an oscillating tubmounted on the said frame, power means whereby the said tub isoscillated, a cover plate for the said tub, means whereby material issupplied to the said tub, a hollow dam centrally mounted of the said tubhaving an opening therein through which the accepted material passes, amovable bottom having an opening therein through which the dam extendsin the normal closed position of the bottom, adjustable spring supportmeans for the said tub connected to said cover plate, arms extendingunder said bottom and in normal engagement therewith, a yoke to whichsaid arms are connected having a handle portion, and a spring normallytending to retain the bottom in closed position but spaced from thebottom of the said tub. 1 v 7. A separator comprising, in combination, aframe, an oscillating tub mounted on said rame, a cover for said tubextending over the upper edge of the said tub, means whereby material issupplied to said tub, a hollow dam centrally mounted of the said tubhaving an opening in the wall thereof through which the acceptedmaterial passes, a movable bottom into which the dam extends, supportassembly for said bottom consisting of units of turn-buckles, eye-boltsand springs connected together, one end of each unit being connected tothe cover plate and the other end to the bottom whereby the said bottomis normally suspended in spaced relation with the said tub, and dumpingmeans for the said tub comprising arms extending under one portion ofsaid bottom and secured to a movable yoke at their upper ends, andspring means tending to assist the support assembly in holding themovable bottom in position below the said tub.

8. A separator comprising, in combination, a frame, an oscillating tubmounted on said frame, a cover for said tub extending over the upperedge thereof, means whereby material is supplied to said tub, a hollowdam centrally mounted of the said tub having an opening in the wallthereof through which the accepted material passes, a movable bottomcomprising a closure member, a hollow member into which the said damextends and a plate connected to said hollow member and in spacedrelation with the said closure member,

support assembly for said bottom consisting of units of turnbuckles,eye-bolts and springs connected together, one end of each unit beingconnected to the overhanging edge of the cover plate and the other tothe bottom whereby the said bottom is normally held in spaced relationwith the said tub, arms extending alongside of the said tub having theirlower ends extending between the said closure member and the spacedplate, rollers on said arms, a yoke to which the said arms areconnected, and a spring connected to the said yoke.

9. A separator comprising, in combination, a frame, an oscillating tubmounted on said frame, a cover for said tub extending over the upperedge of the said tub, means whereby material is supplied to said tub, ahollow dam centrally mounted of the said tub having an opening in thewall thereof through which the accepted material passes, a movablebottom comprising a closure member, extending beyond the edge of thesaid tub, a hollow member into which the said dam extends and a plateconnected to said hollow member and in spaced relation with the saidclosure member, support assembly for said bottom consisting of units ofturn-buckles, eye-bolts and springs connected together, one end of eachunit being connected to the overhanging edge of the cover plate and theother to the bottom whereby the said bottom is normally held in spacedrelation with the lower edge of said tub, arms extending alongside ofthe .saidtub having their lower ends extending between the said closuremember and the spaced plate, roller on said arms, a yoke to which thesaid arms are connected, and a spring connected to the said yoke.

10. A separator comprising, in combination, a frame, a ring mounted insaid frame, a tub, roll-. ers secured to said tub for engagement withthe said ring, a cover for said tub extending over the upper edge of thesaid tub, means whereby material is supplied to said tub, a hollow damcentrally mounted of the said tub having an opening in the wall thereofthrough which the accepted material passes, a movable bottom into whichthe dam extends, suDDQrt assembly for said bottom consisting of units ofturn-buckles, eye-bolts and springs connected together, one end of eachunit being connected to the overhanging edge of the cover plate and theother to the bottom whereby the said bottom is normally held inengagement with the said tub, and dumping means for the said tubcomprising arms extending under one portion of the said bottom andsecured to a movable yoke at their upper ends, and spring means tendingto assist the support assembly in holding the movable bottom inengagement with the said tub.

11. A separator comprising, in combination, a frame, a tub mounted onsaid frame for oscillating movement, power means whereby the said tub isoscillated, a source of supply of material to be separated, a supplychute leading from said source of supply to said tub, a hollow damcentrally mounted of said tub having a discharge opening therein, amovable bottom for said tub, means on the tub whereby the movable bottomis normally held in spaced relation with the tub, means apart from thesaid tub whereby the bottom may be moved below the tub to allow for theescape of the reject material, the discharge opening in the dam beingopposite the discharge end of the supply chute to the tub.

12. A separator comprising, in combination, a frame, a tub mounted onsaid frame for oscillating movement, power means whereby th said tub isoscillated, a source of supply of material to be separated, a supplychute leading from said source of supply to said tub, a hollow damcentrally mounted of said tub having a discharge opening therein, amovable bottom for said tub, means on the tub whereby the movable bottomis normally held in spaced relation with the tub, and means apart fromthe said tub whereby the bottom may be moved below the tub to allow forthe escape of the reject material, the discharge opening in the dambeing spaced from the movable bOttom and opposite the discharge end ofthe supply chute to the tub.

13. A separator comprising, in combination, a frame, a tub mounted foroscillating movement thereon, power means whereby the tub is oscillated,a cover for the said tub extending over the outer wall thereof, amovable bottom having an opening in the center thereof, suspension meansfor said bottom secured to the said cover plate, a hollow dam suspendedcentrally of the tub having a discharge opening in the sid thereof andextending into the opening in the said bottom, a supply hopper, a poweroperated conveyor at the bottom of said hopper, a supply chute leadingfrom said conveyor to the said tub having its discharge end opposite thedischarge opening in the said dam, and manually operable means formoving the said bottom away from the said tub.

14. A separator comprising in combination, a frame, a tub mounted foroscillating movement thereon, power means whereby the tub is oscillated,a cover for the said tub extending over the outer wall thereof, amovable bottom having an opening in the center thereof, suspension meansfor said bottom secured to the said cover plate, a hollow dam suspendedcentrally of the tub having a discharge opening in the side thereof andextending into the opening in the said bottom, a supply hopper, poweroperated feed mechanism at the bottom of said hopper, a supply chuteleading from'said feed mechanism to the said tub having its dischargeend opposite the discharge opening in the said dam, and manuallyoperable means for moving the said bottom away from the said tub.

15. A separator comprising in combination, a frame, a circular trackmounted thereon, a tub mounted on said track for oscillatory movement,power actuated means connected to said tub whereby the said tub isoscillated, a cover for the said tub extending over the outer wallthereof, a movable bottom having an opening in the center thereof,suspension means for said bottom secured to the said cover plate, ahollow dam suspended centrally of the tub having a discharge opening inthe side thereof and extending into the opening in the said bottom, asupply hopper, a power operated conveyor at the bottom of said hopper, asupply chute leading from said conveyor to the said tub having itsdischarge end opposite the discharge opening in the said dam, andmanually operable means for moving the said bottom away from the saidtub.

16. A separator comprising in combination, a frame, a circular trackmounted on said frame, a tub, rollers secured to said tub for engagementwith the said track, power actuated means connected to said tub wherebythe said tub is oscillated, a cover for the said tub extending over theouter wall thereof, a movable bottom having an opening in the centerthereof, suspension means for said bottom secured to the said coverplate, a hollow dam suspended centrally of the tub having a dischargeopening in the side thereof and extending into the opening in the saidbottom, a supply hopper, a power operated conveyor at the bottom of saidhopper, a supply chute leading from said conveyor to the said tub havingits discharge end opposite the discharge opening in the said dam, andmanually operable means for moving the said bottom away from the saidtub.

DICKINSON A. McNEIL, JR.

